for living with diabetes

Sanofi-Aventis, makers of Lantus, an analog insulin, and Apidra, is looking to become a “healthcare” company, not just a drugmaker. The move takes the group into the world of medical devices and is part of a strategy by Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher to diversify Sanofi, reducing its traditional reliance on branded prescription drugs.French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis is now venturing into the world of blood sugar testing, according to a recent Reutersarticle. The company agreed to develop monitoring systems with privately held U.S. firm AgaMatrix. The company expects to co-develop a glucose monitoring system with AgaMatrix and begin selling the monitor in the second half of this year. AgaMatrix already makes a line of blood glucose monitoring products. To see the likely outcome — due to launch in 2011 — go to http://www.bgstar.com/web/